IPCPR 2018: PDR Cigars

As PDR Cigars hits its 15th anniversary, the company is in the early stages of a bit of a reboot, and there was one word used in this booth that I didn’t hear elsewhere: equilibrium. It was used in relation to the fact that PDR Cigars is both brand and factory, producing its own cigars as well as making several other brands. It seems that the identity of the company has skewed more towards the latter in recent years, and while there’s no issue with being known as a solid factory that can produce cigars for other brands, the company wants to remind consumers and the industry as a whole that it also produces solid cigars under its own name, according to Richie “Riot” Otero, the company’s new director of sales.

As such, the company’s logo has been updated, there are some new lines being released while other core lines are getting packaging updates to reflect the new logo and renewed focus of the company. As for the booth, it retains its open design, with display cases at each corner and a bit of space occupied by Viaje. Abe Flores—who, after undertaking a healthier lifestyle, seems to look better every time I see him—also brought his bass guitar and held a few sessions with a guitarist and percussionist he invited to the booth.

A. Flores Gran Reserva 1975 — New Packaging (not pictured)

While not on display, the Gran Reserva 1975 line is one of the ones getting an updated look that incorporates the company’s new logo while also making the bands and boxes more visually distinctive.

A. Flores Gran Reserva 1975 Maduro (not pictured)

The A. Flores Gran Reserva 1975 line gets a maduro version, with a Mexican San Andrés leaf chosen for the blend. It joins the other three wrapper varietals in the line, an Ecuadorian Connecticut Desflorado, Dominican Sungrown Corojo and a sungrown Ecuadorian Habano.

The latest installment of both lines is due out this winter, though a more specific date hasn’t been pinned down. It will return in both the 15-count boxes and 19-count jars and the usual assortment of sizes.

El Criolito New Sizes

Four new, petite sizes join the El Criolito line, with the range now spanning from a 3 3/4 x 42 to a 7 x 70.

Wrapper: Ecuador (Criollo 98)

Binder: Mexico (San Andrés)

Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua (Criollo 98)

El Criolito Club (4 1/4 x 30) — $2.10 (Boxes of 50, $105)

El Criolito Perla (3 3/4 x 42) — $3.29 (Boxes of 24, $78.96)

El Criolito Purito (4 x 34) — $2.62 (Boxes of 24, $62.88)

El Criolito Short Gordo (4 1/4 x 58) — $4.65 (Boxes of 24, $111.60)

Production: Regular Production

Launch Date: July 2018

PDR 1878 New Packaging

Similar to the A. Flores Gran Reserva 1975 line, the PDR 1878 boxes and bands are getting a facelift to freshen them up and incorporate the company’s new logo.

PDR 1878 Natural Roast Cafe

One of a trio of new cigars based on the PDR 1878 blend but with a subtle coffee flavoring, this particular blend is built around the PDR 1878’s Capa Natural line.

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. I previously covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.